Sometimes it’s okay to take the easy way out, like with these two takes on your new small space staples: recipes you prep, cook, and eat from a mug. With a savory and sweet option, we've got your next week of meals covered.

You can either buy pre-cooked/packaged rice at the grocery store, use leftovers from takeout earlier that week, or cook a batch in the microwave. To cook in the microwave: combine 1 part rice to 2 parts water in a microwave safe bowl, cover, and microwave on high until all of the water is absorbed. Cooking times will vary depending on the amount of rice, but a 1/2 cup of uncooked rice usually takes around 10 minutes.

Place a few scoops each of the brown rice, black beans, and pico de gallo (or salsa) in a mug. Give it a stir, and microwave on high for 1 minute to heat. Season with salt, to taste.

The best part? The toppings: finish off your mug dinner with more pico/salsa, a few corn chips broken into pieces, and diced avocado. A spoonful of sour cream and a squeeze of lime is also good here (but the options are limitless...make it your own!)

Sweet Recipe: Mug Pizookies 3 Ways

Serves one.

Basic Dough Ingredients

1 tablespoon unsweetened apple sauce

2 tablespoons maple syrup ( *If you do not have maple syrup, you can substitute 2 tablespoons of cane sugar (preferably coconut sugar) with 2 tablespoons of almond milk (or milk of your choice) instead of the maple syrup.

Replace the baking soda with baking powder, and swirl a spoonful of coconut sugar + a few dashes of cinnamon throughout the batter. Make sure to sprinkle a little extra of both on top.

Directions:

In a mug, add the apple sauce, maple syrup, and vanilla. Mix well, then add in the remaining ingredients (plus your chosen add-ins). Place the mug in the microwave and cook for 1:30-2:00 minutes on high. (Mine usually takes 2 minutes.) The surface should be cooked (it won’t brown) and slightly spring back when you press down on it with your finger. Let cool for a few minutes before topping with a scoop of ice scream — and, if you have them, sprinkles! Then dig in...a warm, gooey (two-minute) cookie!